Cheek & Under-Eye - SM Plastic Surgery

Under-eye fat repositioning is performed through the conjunctiva (the inner eyelid membrane) without an external skin incision, making it suitable for patients in their 20s–30s. Lower blepharoplasty involves a skin incision that allows for more extensive correction, making it suitable for patients in their 40s–60s.

At SM Plastic Surgery, the septum is reinforced and the fat fixed, keeping the chance of recurrence down.

Because surgery is performed through the under-eye conjunctiva (the inner eyelid membrane), no external skin incision is made. The recovery process and degree of scarring vary by individual.

It combines undereye fat repositioning with lifting and fixing the sagging cheek fat pad. Rather than treating only the bulge under the eyes, the plan also takes midface sagging into account. How far the correction extends is explained after your eye and midface condition is examined during consultation.

During surgery, adhesions around the tear trough are released to create space for repositioning the fat. The protruding fat is then moved toward the hollow area to soften the contour. The degree of improvement varies from person to person, so it is explained after examining your undereye area.

Because the sagging midface is lifted and secured, some improvement around the nasolabial folds can also be expected. However, the cause of these folds differs depending on skin thickness and volume, so results vary between individuals. The suitable approach is explained after examination.

When bulging fat and dark circles are the main concern in the twenties, a simpler scope of undereye fat repositioning is considered first. Whether the cheek fat pad is also lifted and secured depends on how much midface sagging is present. The scope is decided after examining both areas together.

When hollowing, wrinkles and grooves appear together, lower blepharoplasty for mature skin combined with the cheek lift is considered. If skin elasticity has decreased, a transconjunctival approach alone may allow only a limited correction. The method is determined after assessing eyelid laxity and hollowing.

The procedure takes about one hour and is performed under local or sedation anesthesia. The anesthesia method is decided after reviewing the surgical scope and your health condition. One to two clinic visits are generally scheduled.

With the transconjunctival approach through the inner lining of the lower eyelid, suture removal is not required. Follow-up visits to check healing are still needed. If a skin incision is added to the plan, this is explained separately during consultation.

One to two visits are generally scheduled to check the healing process. The number of visits may change depending on your recovery speed and the extent of surgery. You are welcome to contact the clinic at any point during recovery.

Return to daily activities is generally guided at five to seven days. How quickly swelling and bruising subside differs from person to person. The exact timing is confirmed while monitoring your recovery.

When hollowing and dark circles come from a lack of fat, micro fat grafting under the eyes is considered alongside repositioning. The approach depends on whether there is enough fat to reposition and which areas need to be filled. It is explained after assessing your undereye fat and wrinkles.

The assessment covers whether ptosis is present, the degree of eyelid laxity and hollowing, undereye fat and wrinkles, and the fat and muscle around the eyes. Similar undereye concerns can have different causes, which changes the surgical scope. The findings are reviewed with you during consultation.

Because the sagging midface is lifted and secured, the impression of cheekbones spreading outward can be softened. The width that comes from bone structure itself, however, is not changed by this surgery. Which factor matters more in your case is explained after examination.